FILIPINO-British singer-actress Geraldine Jennings is proud that she finally got to complete principal photography of her big screen debut, La Isla Babuyan, directed by Abdel Langit.

“Ang daming genres ng film,” Geraldine said. “There is rom-com, there are dramatic scenes, there is comedy. My role is funny. Maganda talaga.”

Geraldine plays Anastasia, an 18-year-old girl who grew up in Europe with a Filipina mother. She got separated from her mom for 14 years. So she came back to the Philippines to see her mom and reconnect with her Filipino roots and heritage.

Working with her Filipino-American leading man Jameson Blake was an “amazing experience” for Geraldine. She agreed to have her kissing scenes with Jameson.

“Very professional naman si Jameson,” Geraldine said of her leading man. “I am an actor, he is an actor and he was super helpful with me. He was very comfortable to work with. That’s part of the job.

“He was a very good actor and a very nice person. I was really surprised how willing he was to help. He was very mabait and very easy to talk to. I was very comfortable working with him.”

Since her character in the film is from Europe, Geraldine didn’t need to speak straight Tagalog. So she was able to speak in English, which became easy for her.

Geraldine was in Manila early this year to start filming ‘La Isla Babuyan.’ She finished filming the project to date.

“We are now in the post production,” she said. “I did the dubbing and we are still waiting for one other member of the cast to finish her dubbing also. We will finalize the edits and in September, we are set to release the film. I’m excited to see the film on the big screen. I’m a bit nervous, but really more excited.”

The dramatic scenes in the film, where Geraldine was required to cry, became a real challenge for her. “My co-star, Lotlot de Leon, who plays my mother in the film, was really good,” Geraldine said.

“I felt her character and that got easier for me to play my role. Mas mahirap ang physical challenges because we shot in the ocean and there were spikes in the beach. We shot in Batangas, three hours away from Manila.”

‘La Isla Babuyan’ is inspired by director Bigas Luna’s Jamon, Jamon, with Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem (1992). “It’ll make sense when you watch our film,” Geraldine said.

The young actress is thankful that Abdel Langit, was a very patient director. He was the first director I worked with. He took his time in executing the scenes. He didn’t get angry. If he didn’t get what he wanted, he worked on the scenes.

“Very patient really and very creative. Sometimes, we didn’t follow the exact script. He changed a lot and added his own ideas. He had the initiative to do that. Very creative. We finished the entire film for around 12 days in January.”

Geraldine also shared her projects with Star Music. They were able to finalize her contract last week. They will distribute the song she recorded, an Ogie Alcasid original, ‘If I Will Ever Love Again,’ which was also used in ‘La Isla Babuyan.’

“I also have two upcoming songs, ‘Pwede Ba?’ and ‘Don’t Go,’ written by Viktoria (Agbayani). She gave me the song, Don’t Go and I will add a remix to make it upbeat for my generation. Viktoria is also under LBD (Management) of (the late) Leo Dominguez. I miss Leo so much. I also have an original song that’s upcoming.”

With the female actresses in the local entertainment scene, Geraldine expressed her desire to work with Kathryn Bernardo. “I watched her film, ‘Hello Love, Goodbye,’ with Alden Richards and she’s really good,” she said.

“I love Kathryn so much. I haven’t met her yet, but I know she’s such a good person and a good actress. I also love Lovi Poe, very versatile and good actress. I also want to work with Anthony Jennings. We are not related, but we can play siblings on TV and the movies.”

Filipino-British talent Anthony played the leading man of Maris Racal in ‘Can’t Buy Me Love.’

Geraldine, who stands 5’8”, also has dreams to join beauty pageants. She is willing to undergo rigorous training just to pursue her pageant dreams.

“I want to start with Miss World, not Miss Universe right away,” she said. “I don’t just want to be known as beautiful. I want to show my talent.”

However, she wants to finish her schooling in two years at the University of London. She’s taking up Economics and Finance. “Mahirap, minsan, nalilito ako,” Geraldine said. “But I’m business-minded so it was good time-management for me.”

Every May to October, she has her summer break, so she has to chance to join Miss World. “We’ll see,” she said. “Every December, I also have a six-week vacation. So I return to the Philippines.

“In two years’ time, once I’m done with my studies, I will return to the Philippines for good. I’m just finishing my studies now. Singing and acting are my passions. I love doing them. I don’t mind pursuing them for good.”

Geraldine was born in Laoag, Ilocos Norte, but moved to the United Kingdom with her family when she was seven. She is the second of four children, all girls. Her mom. Gina Cariaga, makes it a point to guide her budding singing and acting career as Geraldine shuttles between the UK and Manila at least thrice a year.